Merit Born is led by Karlin Vaessen, a licensed architect with more than 25 years of experience shaping hospitality spaces across the country. Before founding Merit Born, Karlin spent years at some of the industry's most prominent international firms, working on projects ranging from boutique hotel renovations to large-scale resort developments.

That breadth of experience is Merit Born's edge. Karlin brings an uncommon fluency across architecture, interior design, and the trades — structural, mechanical, electrical, and construction — that allows projects to move more efficiently from concept to completion. Fewer coordination gaps. Fewer surprises. Better outcomes.

Merit Born operates as a principal-led studio. Every client works directly with Karlin, supported by a trusted network of engineers, interior designers, and specialty consultants who scale to meet the demands of each project. The result is the expertise of a large firm with the responsiveness and personal attention of a dedicated partner.

Every Merit Born engagement begins the same way: with a conversation. Not a proposal, not a pitch — a conversation. We want to understand what you're building, why it matters to you, and what you need from a design partner. What follows is a process refined across years of high-end hospitality work. It is deliberate, collaborative, and built entirely around you.

Here we believe that architecture and design touches on all parts of the human experience. We focus on unique, sometimes unexpected, contextual solutions that address the challenges of a site or existing space. Our belief is that design should be ego-less, seeking only to address the project’s distinct issues and elevate the use and experience of each individual project. Honesty in materials leads to timeless, enduring structures and spaces. Our methodology is inherently economical and sustainable, with each project reflecting our passion for design and our fun-loving spirit.

Our relationships don't end at completion. The best clients become long-term partners — returning for their next project, introducing us to developers in their network, calling when an opportunity feels right. Merit Born was built on those relationships. That’s not a business strategy. That’s what happens when you do work people are proud to have been part of.

NCARB-certified and licensed in multiple states, including Colorado, Illinois, California and Texas.